FREE ENTRY for Ipswich residents on Museum Open Day

Ipswich residents will be given the chance to explore more than 150 years of history for FREE at The Workshops Rail Museum’s Open Day on Saturday 11 November.

Queensland Museum’s Acting CEO Dr Jim Thompson said this was a great opportunity for local residents to explore the iconic site which shaped the development of rail in Queensland.

“For decades the Workshops here in Ipswich were at the centre of Queensland’s burgeoning rail industry, producing more than 200 steam locomotives and employing more than 3,000 workers during their peak in the 1940s,” Dr Thompson said.

“In 2002 the site was rebirthed as a world class rail museum, coupled with the oldest continually operating railway workshops in Australia.

“The annual Museum Open Day encourages family and friends to get together and celebrate this site and the culture and heritage of this vibrant city.”

Dr Thompson said this year the varied program would offer something for everyone, not just the train buffs.

At 11am visitors can pay their respects at a Remembrance Day service at The Workshops War Memorial before viewing two important vehicles from the First World War — the Hunslet 327 engine and Mephisto, the only surviving German A7V Sturmpanzerwagen tank in the world.

Visitors can also explore 15 larger-than-life exhibits including real locomotives and train simulators, take a self-guided tour of The Workshops and Queensland Rail’s heritage steam train fleet, watch a historical reenactment by the RSL and enjoy miniature train rides.

Queensland Museum experts will run taxidermy talks, tours and demonstrations; visitors have the opportunity to see a live animal show, get up close to 20 taxidermy beasts in the exhibition A Room for Wild Animals and view the stunning photographic exhibits Great Barrier Reef and This is my Heritage.

“For the first time this year the event will extend into the evening so visitors can enjoy live music and a bar while exploring the site after the sun goes down,” Dr Thompson said.

Ipswich Mayor Andrew Antoniolli encouraged locals to go along and see why The Workshops Rail Museum attracts as many as 100,000 visitors every year.

“This is a key destination for visitors to our region and the open day means locals can see for themselves what it is all about, whether they are returning visitors or first-timers.

“It’s a chance to explore the extensive exhibits, soak up some history and enjoy a relaxed day out,” he said.

The Museum Open Day runs from 9:30 am to 8 pm on 11 November 2017 thanks to the support of Ipswich City Council.

Entry is free for Ipswich residents. Proof of residency is required and may include drivers licence or rates notice.